Solution to Iranian nuclear issue will stabilize Middle East — Lavrov

November 19, 2014, 12:41 UTC+3MOSCOWThe progress in this issue could contribute to success of the efforts which are made to create a zone free of weapons of mass destruction in the Middle East, Russia's foreign minister says

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

MOSCOW, November 19. /TASS/. Solution to the decade-old crisis over Iran's nuclear program could promote stability in the Middle East region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.

Russia’s initiatives to resolve the issue on the principles of a phased approach and reciprocity have “gained broad international recognition” and provide the basis for the approaches that are currently being discussed during the talks between Tehran and P5+1 group, Lavrov said.

“The progress in this direction could have a positive effect on the situation in the Middle East and contribute to success of the efforts which are made to create a zone in the Middle East that would be free of weapons of mass destruction,” Lavrov said.

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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said Tuesday that Iran and the P5+1 group (five permanent members of the UN Security Council and Germany) are “in half step” from solving Tehran’s nuclear problem.

Western nations suspect Iran of using its nuclear research for developing atomic weapons while Iran insists its nuclear program is intended for peaceful purposes only.

Iran’s accession to SCO

The likely admission of India and Pakistan to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) will not diminish the role of Russia and China in that organization, while the idea of Iran’s accession to the SCO that may follow the settlement of the Iranian nuclear program is getting ever more crucial, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told the State Duma on Wednesday.

“I don’t think that the admission of these countries to the SCO will dilute or lower the role of Russia and China to any extent,” he said. “One should feel no fear to have fundamental, responsible, major, growing partners.”

Lavrov believes that on the contrary the focus should be on consolidating the positions of those countries that do not represent the historic West, which has traditionally dominated in world politics, of the countries that rely not on bloc discipline, but on their national interests, just like Russia.”

Besides, “with the settlement of the Iranian nuclear program the question of Teheran’s SCO membership will become very crucial, too.

Lavrov stressed Russia’s interest in lending dynamics to the SCO activities along all tracks and in enhancing the effectiveness of its anti-terrorist and anti-drug potential.”

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“The priorities of our foreign policy work next year will be connected with Russia’s presidency of the SCO and BRICS,” he said. “We shall host the summits of these organizations in Ufa next summer.”

Lavrov believes that the role of BRICS in world affairs is getting ever more significant.

“The establishment of a new development bank with an authorized capital of 100 billion dollars and an as big virtual pool of currency reserves is expected to maintain the stability of the international currency and financial system,” Lavrov believes. “The importance is growing of coordinated positions by the BRICS countries in the international scene, which was confirmed at the G20 summit in Australia. In particular, that was seen in discussions of the reform of the international currency and financial system and of issues concerning the political situation in the world.